An agricultural
revolution is in the offing in
the Sabel, the driest zone of
the West African semi-arid
tropics. The change in agricultural systems is being
spearheaded by the Sah
Centre set up to ched
downward trend to po,
by the International C
Research Institute for the
Semi-Arid Tropics, one of
the Consultative Group of
International Agricultural
Research CGIAR) centres
Em India. "It is certainly
of the harshest environ
ts in the world and I
add, is one of the
Irl"It as well," says Karl
rmsen executive director
Saeliam Centre.
Under the new system,
Lers will grow millet and
Was separately, planting
Scowpeas earlier than at
pent and fertilising them
locally available rock
sosphate. The change will
a boon to farmers
Ne under this system fodowpeas can produce 5
10 times the present yield.
10hermore, millet grown
rotation with the fertilised
cowpea can double its yield.
The need for a rehaul of
OSahelian agricultural sys has become imperative
01"creasing population has
it pressure on the land.The
svstem, believes Tim
tiams, principal legume
Pruist at the Sahclian
nue "has potential for sufnt change to be attractive
farmers without added
k to food security."
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